Sunday, August 25, 2019

Crossing the Rubicon is a piece of history that made its
way into American popular culture --the saying describing a situation where
there is no turning back.

The historical event that created the saying occurred on January 10th,
49 BC, when Julius Caesar led a single Roman legion across the Rubicon River in
Northern Italy.

The Rubicon River in Eastern Italy and the Arno River in Western
Italy formed the northern boundary of Republican Italy in the 1st Century BC,
separating it from Cisalpine Gaul. Roman law required that that only city magistrates
from Rome lead an army south of the two rivers and Pro-consuls who had military
control of the provinces were not allowed to enter with an army. Violation of
this law, meant the loss of Imperium to command troops and was an act of
treason.

Caesar, through his agents in the Senate, which included
the Tribune Antony, tried to negotiate an accommodation with Pompey and the Senate.
Caesar requested a new provincial assignment in order to retain Imperium
and avoid prosecution for bribery and theft in office. The Senate was unwilling
to meet his demand and circumstances began to move toward a confrontation.

A resolution was introduced on the Senate requiring that both
Caesar and Pompey give up their commands as an attempt to satisfy both factions.
Caesar was in favor, but a small group of Senators vetoed the resolution because
they suspected a trap. The Senate then introduced a resolution proposing that
two of Caesar’s legions be sent to Syria. Pompey favored this attempt to declaw
Caesar and Caesar complied.

In December 50 BC a second resignation resolution was
proposed in the Senate, requiring Caesar to give up his command without
requiring Pompey to do so. This was later amended, requiring both men to give
up their posts simultaneously. The vote was 370 for and 22 against.

This action by the Senate was immediately rendered useless when a panic
followed. Rumors started that Caesar was already matching on Rome, so the Senate
granted Pompey command for the defense of the city. A resolution was introduced
placing a fixed date on Caesar’s resignation, but this was vetoed by Antony.
Then, on January 7th 49 BC, an emergency decree was passed, legalizing Pompey’s
authority and requested that all major officials move to protect the state.
Antony was forced to flee Rome or suffer penalties under this martial law. The
Senate’s final act in this drama was to assign new governors for Gaul, replacing
Caesar.

The Senate’s behavior convinced Caesar that diplomatic
efforts were no longer possible and a show of force was necessary, so he crossed
the Rubicon on January 10th. He divided his legion into two columns:
one headed for Arretium and the other Ariminum.

The speed with which Caesar advanced astonished the Senate
and Pompey, who were not convinced he would try to press an attack with one
legion. By day three, Arretium had already fallen. Rather than resisting
Caesar, the locals along his route opened their doors to him and even expelled
Pompey’s garrisons from their territory. Surprised at this, Pompey retreated
south to Capua, leaving Rome unprotected and forcing his allies in the Senate
to abandon the city and join him.

Caesar arrived in Rome the first week of March with six legions.
He had accumulated additional troops on his way south based on loyalty to his
cause. There was some resistance, on the way, but little bloodshed because his
enemies had melted away. Caesar impressed all with his leniency toward those
who opposed him by setting them free.